Rochdale

Rochdale's population grew between the last two censuses. At the same time there were changes in housing tenure, ethnicity and religion.

The population passed 210,000

In the decade leading up to the most recent census, the population of Rochdale increased by 3.1%, from just over 205,000 to 212,000.

The addition of about 6,300 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Rochdale was home to, on average, 9.6 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was higher than the average across the North West

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across the North West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

Rise in rate of unemployment

Census 2011 data also show a change in the employment status of many here.

The percentage of Rochdale residents that were unemployed increased from 3.9% in 2001 to 5.9% in 2011.

In 2011, just under one in two (50%) people aged 16 to 74 said they were employed, compared with 51% in 2001. The percentage of Rochdale residents that were self-employed increased from 7.0% to 7.9%.

The proportion of unemployed people increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 3.6% in 2001 to 4.7% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 3.4% to 4.4%.

The rate of unemployment in Rochdale increased by 2 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 in Rochdale, the North West and England that said they were unemployed, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Rochdale that rented privately increased from 6.5% to 13% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just under one in four (23%) households lived in social housing, compared with 25% in 2001. The percentage of Rochdale households that owner their home decreased from 66% to 62%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 8.5% in 2001 to 15% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Rochdale increased by 6.7 percentage points

Percentage of households in Rochdale, the North West and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Ethnicity in Rochdale

The number of people in Rochdale from the White ethnic groups increased from just over 180,000 in 2001 to about 170,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 89% to 82% of the local population.

The percentage decreased by more than the average across the North West (from 94% to 90%) and the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in Rochdale from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from just under 21,000 in 2001 to about 32,000 in 2011 (from 10% to 15%). The number of residents from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed) increased from about 1,900 to just under 3,600 (from 0.9% to 1.7%).

About 2,800 people (0.3%) said they were from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups, up from about 650 in 2001 (1.3%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in Rochdale decreased by 6.9 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, North West and Rochdale by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Religion in Rochdale

The number of people in Rochdale that described themselves as Muslim increased from just over 19,000 in 2001 to about 29,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 9.4% to 14% of the local population.

The percentage increased by more than the average across the North West (from 3.0% to 5.1%) and the average across England (from 3.2% to 5.2%).

The number of people in Rochdale that described themselves as Christian decreased from just under 150,000 in 2001 to about 130,000 in 2011 (from 72% to 61%). The number of people who described themselves as having no religion increased from just over 22,000 to about 40,000 (from 11% to 19%).

About 12,000 people (7.1%) did not state their religion, down from about 15,000 in 2001 (5.8%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population who identified as Muslim in Rochdale increased by 4.5 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, North West and Rochdale by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Rochdale residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 11% to 7.6% between the last two censuses.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just under 8 in 10 (78%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 66% in 2001. The percentage of Rochdale residents that described their health as fair decreased from 23% to 15%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 11% in 2001 to 6.8% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Rochdale decreased by 3.7 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Rochdale, the North West and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

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Area report data

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